How to Paint Wall-to-Ceiling Trim

Prepare the trim thoroughly before applying any paint.

Fresh paint on trim is an inexpensive way of brightening up any room. It also allows you to change the room's color scheme without having to paint the walls and ceiling. A different color on the trim with matching accessories will give any area of your home a fresh look. However, to achieve a professional finish, prepare the trim thoroughly before taking the lid off any of your paint cans.

1

Lay drop cloths on the floor right up to the edge of the trim to protect the surface from paint or sanding dust. Use painter's tape to secure the drop cloths at the base of the trim. One edge of the tape should be just under the trim edge, ensuring no area of the floor is left exposed. Position painter's tape on the walls along the edges of the trim.

2

Sand the trim with 150-grit sandpaper to remove flaking paint. Vacuum the trim to remove sanding dust, and inspect it for holes or cracks. Apply filler to these, scraping off excess with a filler knife. Allow the filler to dry, and sand it level with the surrounding trim surface.

3

Vacuum the trim again to remove all sanding dust. Wash the trim using a solution of warm water and mild household detergent. Dip your cleaning rag in the solution and squeeze it out frequently. Repeat the process with clean water to remove soap traces. Allow the trim to dry completely.

4

Apply a coat of primer to the trim, using a small paintbrush. If your top paint is a light color, use white primer. If you are applying a dark color, use a gray primer. Allow the primer to dry, and lightly sand the surface with 220-grit sandpaper. Vacuum away the sanding dust, and apply another coat of primer. Repeat the sanding and vacuuming process.

5

Apply the first coat of top paint. Use long sweeping strokes, brushing the paint out along the grain direction until the brush starts to run dry. Reload the brush and paint the next area of trim. Blend it to the previous area of trim with short, light strokes.

6

Repeat the above process until paint has been applied to all the trim. Leave it to dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer. Then, sand it with 220-grit sandpaper, and vacuum off the sanding dust.

7

Apply a second coat of top paint using exactly the same method. Allow it to dry, and repeat the sanding and vacuuming process before applying a third coat.

8

Allow the paint to dry before removing the drop cloths and painter's tape. Clean your brushes with brush cleaner if your paint was oil based, then wash them in warm soapy water. Rinse the brushes thoroughly and allow them to dry before storing them. If your paint was water based, you do not need to use brush cleaner before washing them with soap and water.

Things You Will Need

Drop cloth

Painter's tape

Sandpaper, 150-grit

Sandpaper, 220-grit

Vacuum cleaner

Warm water

Household detergent

Cleaning rags

Paintbrush

Primer

Paint

Brush cleaner

Tip

Pour your trim paint into a small plastic bucket. Tie a length of string across the mouth of the bucket between the handle supports. When you dip your brush into the paint, use the string to scrape off any excess.

Warning

Keep the room in which you are working well ventilated to avoid any buildup of paint fumes.

The Essential Book of Home Design Techniques; Nicholas Springman et al

About the Author

Belfast-based Neil Greenlees was made redundant in March 2009 after working as a reporter for 26 years. For most of his career he was a senior journalist with ''The Ulster Star," a weekly newspaper covering the Lisburn and South Belfast areas. Greenlees holds the National Council for the Training of Journalists Pre-Entry Certificate.